Package dispenser



May 28, 1957 F. e. cox, JR

PACKAGE DISPENSER Filed Nov. 8, 1955 FIG.2

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HIS ATTORNEY PACKAGE DISPENSER Frank Gardner Cox, In, Wiimington, Del. Appiication November 8, 1955, Serial No. 545,656

4 Claims. (Cl. 296-56) This invention relates to a package dispensing device, and more particularly to a dispenser for flexible strip elements.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel and inexpensive container for prepackaged household bandages of the Band-Aid type, in which the bandages can be readily stored without contamination and from which they can then be individually dispensed with ease when desired. The device may also be employed to dispense rolls or other elongated strips, for instance of individually sealed pills, confections and other objects.

Other objects will be apparent from the ensuing more detailed description.

One preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the container filled with flexible strip elements ready to be dispensed; and

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a similar device, minus contents.

Referring to Figure 1, the housing 11 is somewhat dome-shaped and constructed of plastic, preferably a clear plastic so that the contents are readily visible to the consumer. This housing is first filled with the packaged elements to be dispensed, and then fastened to a backing panel 12, which may itself be of plastic or may be a conventional cardboard card or the like. The filled housing may be mounted on this panel by means of ordinary adhesives, heat-sealing, stapling, flange-and-socket arrangements, or any other desired means. One of the packaged elements 13, in this case one of the aforedescribed Band-Aid type sterile compresses, is shown exposed within the housing, ready to be easily dispensed.

Figure 2 indicates a preferred arrangement of the dispenser prior to the time of use. The housing 11 is a continuous piece, completely covering the bandage contents (not shown), but being scored or perforated along the line 15-15. When the consumer wishes access to the bandages, he pulls on the tab 14 and peels open the package to provide a finger hole along the line 1515. (In Figure 1 element 14 is, of course, this same tab partially torn back along the line 15.)

Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 1, showing the housing 11 in its relationship to the load of bandages 13.

2,793,745 Patented May 28, 1957 ice As can be noted from Figure 1, the dispenser grips the full load of bandages at their midpoint, where they are thickest, permitting the opposite ends to fan out naturally in a plane approaching an acute to perpendicular angle to the backing card. The individual bandage is then readily removed via an opening at the narrow end of the housing. While such an opening has been above described as obtainable by removing a prescored tab, this is not essential. Alternateively, the thumb or finger hole may be pre-cut, or the housing may be formed with this opening in it. It should also be noted that the feature of employing a housing of transparent plastic is preferred, among other reasons because it permits full view of the contents and adds to the sales appeal of the package.

As many apparently widely different embodiment of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and .scope hereof, it is to be understood that the above invention is not limited except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a stack of superposed bandages of the type having a thickened center portion, and a rectangular housing therefor, afiixed to a backing card along one elongated side, having a dome-shaped ceiling and side wall portions adapted to grip said bandages therewithin at their thickened midpoint, and having at one end an opening through which the end of one of said bandages is accessible, whereby said bandages can be individually removed from the housing seriatim.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein the said housing is composed of transparent plastic.

3. The article of claim 1, having at one end of the said housing a surface area defined by weakened lines to obtain a tear-out finger hole, through which the end of one of said bandages becomes accessible.

4. In combination, a stack of superposed household strip bandages of the type having a thickened center portion; and an elongated recetangular housing therefor of transparent plastic, affixed to a backing card along one elongated side, having a dome-shaped ceiling on the opposite side and side wall portions adapted to grip said bandages therewithin at their midpoint, and having at one end a surface area defined by weakened lines to obtain a tear-out finger hole, through which the end of one of said bandages becomes accessible, whereby said bandages can be individually removed from the housing seratim.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 123,248 Henderson Oct. 22, 1940 1,208,701 Trenner Dec. 12, 1916 1,944,050 Wolkenhauer Jan. 16, 1934 2,619,226 Adams Nov. 25, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 128,611 Switzerland Nov. 1, 1928 

